Linda Braunschweiger, chief executive officer of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, told the Camarillo City Council the fund has provided more than $50 million in loans countywide and has financed nearly 1,900 housing units across Ventura County.

Braunschweiger said the fund made $16.7 million in loans in the first six months of the year and has launched a new longer‑term residual receipts product, enabled by a $5 million REAP grant returned to the organization after earlier reductions. She asked the council to consider an investment or other support options, and said some member cities already committed funds or land to the effort.

The presentation described the trust’s usual loan products—predevelopment loans, acquisition financing and short‑term construction bridging loans averaging one to five years—and the new 14–15‑year soft residual receipts loans intended to strengthen applications for federal tax credits. Braunschweiger said the trust prioritizes projects that include units for people at 120% of area median income and below and special‑needs populations such as people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, farm workers, veterans, transition‑age youth and aging adults.

Braunschweiger reported existing city investments in the trust fund: Camarillo contributed a series of installments (including $200,000 in 2012–15 and $250,000 in 2018–22). She encouraged Camarillo staff and council to discuss other forms of support if direct cash investment is not feasible, such as in‑lieu fees, low‑interest local investment, or operating grants. When asked about typical municipal funding sources, Braunschweiger said most city contributions come from general funds or in‑lieu fees and noted funds cannot be sourced from existing restricted housing dollars under the trust’s requirements.

Councilmembers asked for more information and requested staff follow up. The council agreed to place further consideration of possible city support on the Economic Development and Land Use (EDLU) committee for additional review and discussion with Community Development staff.